EU advises govt on axle load limits
Jan 14, 2010
THE European Union (EU) has advised the Government to resume axle load limit control if it wants roads to last longer.
By Joel Ogwang
THE European Union (EU) has advised the Government to resume axle load limit control if it wants roads to last longer.
The EU head of delegation, Vincent de Visscher, noted that this could be achieved through combating overloading of heavy commercial vehicles.
The recommended axle load weight is 56 tonnes, but a recent report found that some truck owners pay bribes and carry over 80 tonnes.
De Visscher also called on the Government to sensitise the public on the danger of overloading vehicles on roads, adding that if it is not done the country will continue to face high road maintenance costs.
“It is imperative that the Government implements a series of legal, technical and institutional measures to drastically reduce the degree of overloading,†he said in a statement recently.
“Getting users involved in making regulations and policing their operations can make enforcement easy and more effective.â€
During the opening of the Jinja- Bugiri road in Iganga town recently, the works minister, Eng. John Nasasira, said the Government would soon lift the suspension imposed on axle load control.
Although he did not say when this would be, he noted that a proper management system would be instituted.
“The Government understands that the control of axle loads and gross vehicle weights is key in reducing the deterioration of roads,†he said.
Nasasira added that his ministry had undertaken maintenance management reforms that culminated in the introduction of the performance-based contract system, axle load control and weigh-bridges. These facilities were intended to establish the weight of cargo or trucks entering Uganda or in transit to neighbouring countries, he said.
The Government imposed a temporary suspension on use of weigh-bridges and axle load limit control in October because of abuse by the works ministry officials.
Consequently, Nasasira instituted an investigation into the mismanagement, appointing Prof. Epelu Opio as team leader.
The team unearthed gross corruption, maladministration, abuse of office, undue delays and influence peddling.
In their report released recently, the investigators called for the overhaul of the weigh-bridge and axle load control administration systems, existing laws and prosecution of ministry officials who were implicated in the abuse of the scheme.
Nasasira noted that keeping the road maintenance requirements within manageable limits was a pre-requisite for the long life-span of roads.
THE European Union (EU) has advised the Government to resume axle load limit control if it wants roads to last longer.
The EU head of delegation, Vincent de Visscher, noted that this could be achieved through combating overloading of heavy commercial vehicles.
The recommended axle load weight is 56 tonnes, but a recent report found that some truck owners pay bribes and carry over 80 tonnes.
De Visscher also called on the Government to sensitise the public on the danger of overloading vehicles on roads, adding that if it is not done the country will continue to face high road maintenance costs.
“It is imperative that the Government implements a series of legal, technical and institutional measures to drastically reduce the degree of overloading,†he said in a statement recently.
“Getting users involved in making regulations and policing their operations can make enforcement easy and more effective.â€
During the opening of the Jinja- Bugiri road in Iganga town recently, the works minister, Eng. John Nasasira, said the Government would soon lift the suspension imposed on axle load control.
Although he did not say when this would be, he noted that a proper management system would be instituted.
“The Government understands that the control of axle loads and gross vehicle weights is key in reducing the deterioration of roads,†he said.
Nasasira added that his ministry had undertaken maintenance management reforms that culminated in the introduction of the performance-based contract system, axle load control and weigh-bridges. These facilities were intended to establish the weight of cargo or trucks entering Uganda or in transit to neighbouring countries, he said.
The Government imposed a temporary suspension on use of weigh-bridges and axle load limit control in October because of abuse by the works ministry officials.
Consequently, Nasasira instituted an investigation into the mismanagement, appointing Prof. Epelu Opio as team leader.
The team unearthed gross corruption, maladministration, abuse of office, undue delays and influence peddling.
In their report released recently, the investigators called for the overhaul of the weigh-bridge and axle load control administration systems, existing laws and prosecution of ministry officials who were implicated in the abuse of the scheme.
Nasasira noted that keeping the road maintenance requirements within manageable limits was a pre-requisite for the long life-span of roads.